A year on, "increasing the number of Australian students studying ICT-related subjects and courses at the primary, secondary, university and vocational levels of education” is still seen as important.

But this year’s Digital Pulse recognises a more immediate answer is required.

“While ICT degree graduates have recently picked up, they represent only one percent of the existing ICT workforce each year,” the report said.

“It is important that the Australian workforce is not wholly reliant on the pipeline of ICT students and graduates as the sole domestic source of ICT workers and skills to support the growing digital economy.”

The growth in demand for ICT skills is already evident. This year’s report estimates that Australia’s ICT workforce grew by 23,000 in the past year.

Most of this skills demand was satisfied by looking internationally. Australia took in a net 19,600 foreign workers (including 13,900 on 457 visas) over the period, suggesting as little as 3000 new ICT roles were filled domestically.

However, as with graduate numbers, foreign intake isn't necessarily seen as a desirable way to keep meeting jobs growth.

“Relying on workers from overseas can assist in addressing acute shortages of particular ICT skills in the short term,” the Digital Pulse said.

“However, this is not a suitable solution for sustaining Australia’s increasing demand for digital skills in the long-term future.”